Shotshell with Shot Pellets Having Multiple Shapes

ABSTRACT

In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining an internal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internal chamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the second shot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the first shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/936,012, filed Nov. 6, 2007, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of shotshells, and moreparticularly to a shotshell having fill comprising pellets of varyingshape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shotshells are well known in the art, and are available in manydifferent configurations. Shotshells are typically filled with shot of auniform size, classified according to the nominal diameter of the shot.Standard sizes have developed, for example ranging from BBB (0.19″ dia)to 3 (0.14″ dia) to 9 (0.08″ dia), as would be recognized by a person ofordinary skill in the art.

The shot size can be selected according to the specifics of the target.For example, when hunting upland game, such as pheasants and grouse, atcloser ranges, shotshells having a smaller shot can be desirable toachieve a greater shot spread. When hunting waterfowl at longer ranges,larger shot can be desirable, which can achieve a narrower shot spreadand carry more energy to the target.

The shot spread and pattern density are often used to evaluateshotshells. Prior art shotshells tend to create shot patterns that arenot evenly dispersed, for example having a higher density than necessaryat the core of the pattern while exhibiting too light a density to beeffective in the remaining areas of the shot pattern located outside thecore.

There remains a need for shotshells that exhibit a more consistent andeffective pattern density across a greater area.

All US patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some ofthe claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additionalembodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description ofthe Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification isprovided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope ofthe claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, a shotshell comprises a casing defining aninternal chamber, a plurality of first shot pellets within the internalchamber and a plurality of second shot pellets within the internalchamber. The first shot pellets comprise a first shape and the secondshot pellets comprise a second shape that is different from the firstshape.

In some embodiments, the second shot pellets have a higher dragcoefficient than the first shot pellets.

In some embodiments, the second shot pellets are non-spherical. In someembodiments, both the first and second shot pellets are non-spherical.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a parthereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, itsadvantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference can be made tothe drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described variousembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a shotshell.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a shaped shot pellet for use in ashotshell.

FIG. 3 compares the spread pattern of spherical shot (see 26 a) and anembodiment of shaped shot (see 26 b).

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a shaped shot pellet.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a shaped shot pellet.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of ashotshell.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of ashotshell.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of ashotshell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention may be embodied in many forms, there are describedin detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This descriptionis an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is notintended to limit the invention to the particular embodimentsillustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in thefigures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an inventive shotshell 10, comprising acasing 12 defining an internal chamber 14. The shotshell 10 alsoincludes propellant 16 and a primer 18.

The internal chamber 14 is filled with shot pellets 40 including aplurality of first shot pellets 42 and a plurality of second shotpellets 48. Desirably, the first shot pellets 42 comprise a shape thatis different from the shape of the second shot pellets 48. For example,the three-dimensional geometric shape can be different. Desirably, thedrag coefficient of the second shot pellets 48 is greater than the dragcoefficient of the first shot pellets 42. This causes the second shotpellets 48 to tumble and spread more than the first shot pellets 42.

The first shot pellets 42 are of any suitable shape, and in someembodiments are ordinary shot having a spherical shape. In someembodiments, the first shot pellets 42 can be non-spherical. All of theshot pellets 40 within the plurality of first shot pellets 42 aredesirably uniform in shape and design.

The second shot pellets 48 can be any suitable shape that isgeometrically different from the first shot pellets 42. Preferably, thesecond shot pellets 48 are non-spherical. All of the shot pellets 40within the plurality of second shot pellets 48 are uniform in shape anddesign. In some embodiments, a cross-sectional shape of a first shotpellet 42 is different from a cross-sectional shape of a second shotpellet 48.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a second shot pellet 48. In someembodiments, a second shot pellet 48 comprises a body portion 52 and araised ridge 54 that extends around the body portion 52. In someembodiments, a second shot pellet 48 comprises a first flat portion 56and a second flat portion 58 that meet at an angle 60. In someembodiments, a second shot pellet 48 comprises a raised edge 62 that canbe sharp. In some embodiments, a second shot pellet 48 comprises surfacefeatures that create a greater amount of drag when compared to the firstshot pellet 42. In some embodiments, a second shot pellet 48 has a shapethat will tumble in the air, such that its effective drag coefficientwill change as it tumbles.

The surface features of the second shot pellet 48 serve multiplepurposes. First, the added drag causes the second shot pellets 48 tospread more quickly and more uniformly when compared to prior artspherical shot of the same size. Also, raised edges 62 can cut into atarget and be more effective than prior art shot.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of increased spread when using the secondshot pellets 48. Referring to FIG. 1, it should be noted that the shellchamber 14 comprises a front portion 24 and a rear portion 26. When asingle type of shot is used, for example if the front 24 and a rear 26portions were both filled with the first shot pellets 42, shot locatedin the front portion 24 is expected to spread more, as indicated by cone24 a in FIG. 3. Shot located in the rear portion 26 is expected tospread less, as indicated by cone 26 a in FIG. 3. The average result isa high shot density in the core of the shot pattern and lower densitytowards the outer periphery.

When the rear portion 26 is filled with the second shot pellets 48, theincreased spread of the second shot pellets 48 lessens shot density inthe core and increases density toward the outer periphery, as indicatedby cone 26 b. Thus, the shot density in the core is decreased somewhatwhile still being lethal, while the shot density in the periphery isincreased to more desirable levels, increasing the effective lethaldiameter of the shot.

In some embodiments, the rear portion 26 (see FIG. 1) can be filled withsecond shot pellets 48 to comprise 40% of the load. The front portion 24can be filled with first shot pellets 42 to comprise the remaining 60%of the load. Shells of this nature were tested as indicated below. Whilethese percentages refer to weight, they could alternatively refer tovolume.

An embodiment of a test shell having 40% second shot pellets 48 loadedtoward the rear of the shell and 60% first shot pellets 42 loaded towardthe front of the shell was compared to a control shell loaded with 100%spherical shot of similar size. The test measured shot pattern densityusing a 30 inch diameter target at 40 yards. Shot density for the 15inch diameter core of the target was also calculated, and the coredensity was compared to the overall density. The control shell exhibiteda higher concentration of hits in the core, and the pattern density inthe core area was approximately 1.5 times the overall density. The testshell exhibited a lower concentration of hits in the core, and thepattern density in the core was approximately 1.2 times the overalldensity. Thus, the test shell exhibited a lower core density and a moreuniform shot spread across the overall target.

In some embodiments, the second shot pellets 48 comprise shapes that areordinarily formed during the process of making spherical shot. Forexample, at least one process exists where the second shot pellets 48illustrated in FIG. 2 comprise a preliminary shot shape that is groundto form a spherical shape. By using these preliminary shapes as thesecond shot pellets 48, the inventive shotshells 10 also provide aneconomic advantage over prior art shells, as the number of stepsrequired to manufacture the second shot pellets 48 is reduced.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment for the second shot pellets 48. In someembodiments, the second shot pellets 48 comprise a cylindrical portion66.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment for the second shot pellets 48. In someembodiments, the second shot pellets 48 comprise one or more grooves 68.

Other embodiments of shaped shot pellets can comprise any suitableshape. For example, in various embodiments a pellet can comprise anoval/football shape, a teardrop shape, a square/rectangular/box shape,or any other suitable variation.

Although the shaped shot pellets discussed herein are generally referredto as the second shot pellets 48, it should be noted that any of theshaped pellets could also be used as the first shot pellets 42. Forexample, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment where both the first shot pellets 42and the second shot pellets 48 are non-spherical.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a shotshell 10 wherein the first shotpellets 42 and the second shot pellets 48 are grouped in layers thatalternate along the length of the shotshell 10. FIG. 6 illustrates sixtotal layers comprising three layers of first shot pellets 42 and threelayers of second shot pellets 48. Various embodiments of a shotshell 10can comprise any suitable number of layers. For example, FIG. 1illustrates a total of two layers, one of each type of pellet 42, 48.The invention also comprises odd numbers of layers, such as three, fiveor seven layers total. For example, in a three layer embodiment, ashotshell 10 can comprise a layer of second shot pellets 48 at the rearof the chamber 14, a layer of first shot pellets 42 in a central portionof the chamber 14, and another layer of second shot pellets 48 at thefront of the chamber 14.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a shotshell 10, wherein the firstshot pellets 42 and the second shot pellets 48 are radially separated.The second shot pellets 48 occupy the radial core of the chamber 14 andcomprise a column that extends along the length of the shotshell 10. Thefirst shot pellets 42 occupy the remaining portion of the chamber 14,comprising a tubular shape that extends around the column of second shotpellets 48.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a shotshell 10 wherein first shotpellets 42 and second shot pellets 48 are randomly distributedthroughout the chamber 14. This embodiment still produces a desirableshot spread, as the second shot pellets 48 will spread more thanspherical shot.

In other embodiments wherein first shot pellets 42 and second shotpellets 48 are distributed together in the chamber 14, first shotpellets 42 and second shot pellets 48 can be evenly mixed.

In some embodiments, the second shot pellets 48 can be loaded in thefront of the chamber 14. For example, when hunting upland game such asgrouse and pheasants, a large spread as soon as possible is desirable.By placing the second shot pellets 48 at the front of the chamber 14,the initial spread of the shot is increased.

In some embodiments, various wads can be used to separate the first shotpellets 42 and second shot pellets 48. For example, a wad can include aplurality of chambers, and different types of shot can be placed in thevarious chambers.

The first shot pellets 42 and second shot pellets 48 can be combinedusing any suitable relative quantity. In some embodiments, first shotpellets 42 can comprise 50% of the shot load, and second shot pellets 48can comprise 50% of the shot load. Other quantities can be used, such as60/40, 70/30, etc. Various embodiments can utilize more first shotpellets 42 than second shot pellets 48, or more second shot pellets 48than first shot pellets 42.

In some embodiments, the first shot pellets 42 comprise the same sizeshot as the second shot pellets 48. In some embodiments, the first shotpellets 42 can be of a first size and the second shot pellets 48 can beof a second size different from the first size, for example being largeror smaller. The specific sizes can be adjusted to create the desiredshot spread and density patterns. U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,793, incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety, discusses combining multiple sizesof spherical shot.

In some embodiments, the first shot pellets 42 comprise the same densityshot as the second shot pellets 48. In some embodiments, the first shotpellets 42 can be of a first density and the second shot pellets 48 canbe of a second density different from the first density, for examplebeing greater or lesser. The specific densities can be adjusted tocreate the desired shot spread and density patterns. U.S. Pat. No.6,202,561, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discussescombining multiple densities of spherical shot.

In some embodiments, the first shot pellets 42 comprise a size that isdifferent from the size of the second shot pellets 48, and a densitythat is different from the density of the second shot pellets 48.

In some embodiments, additional shaped shot pellets can be used. Forexample, first shot pellets 42 can comprise a first shape, second shotpellets 48 can comprise a second shape, and third shot pellets (notshown) can comprise a third shape. Any suitable number of various shapescan be used within an inventive shotshell 10.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives andvariations are intended to be included within the scope of the claimswhere the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Thosefamiliar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specificembodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to beencompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the invention should be recognized as alsospecifically directed to other embodiments having any other possiblecombination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, forpurposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows shouldbe taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from allprior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependentclaim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within thejurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should bealternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). Injurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, thefollowing dependent claims should each be also taken as alternativelywritten in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependencyfrom a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claimlisted in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternateembodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein whichequivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

1. A shotshell comprising: a casing defining an internal chamber; aplurality of first shot pellets within the internal chamber, said firstshot pellets comprising a first shape; and a plurality of second shotpellets within the internal chamber, said second shot pellets comprisinga second shape that is different from the first shape.
 2. The shotshellof claim 1, wherein a drag coefficient of a second shot pellet isgreater than a drag coefficient of a first shot pellet.
 3. The shotshellof claim 2, wherein an effective drag coefficient of a second shotpellet changes as the second shot pellet tumbles in the air.
 4. Theshotshell of claim 1, wherein said second shot pellets arenon-spherical.
 5. The shotshell of claim 4, wherein said first shotpellets are spherical.
 6. The shotshell of claim 4, wherein said firstshot pellets are non-spherical.
 7. The shotshell of claim 1, whereinsaid second shot pellets comprise a sharp edge.
 8. The shotshell ofclaim 1, wherein said second shot pellets comprise a cylindricalportion.
 9. The shotshell of claim 1, wherein said second shot pelletscomprise a raised ridge.
 10. The shotshell of claim 1, wherein saidsecond shot pellets are asymmetric across at least one axis.
 11. Theshotshell of claim 1, wherein said first shot pellets comprise 60% ofthe shot load and said second shot pellets comprise 40% of the shotload.
 12. The shotshell of claim 1, wherein said first shot pellets aregrouped toward the front of the internal chamber and said second shotpellets are grouped toward the rear of the internal chamber.
 13. Theshotshell of claim 1, wherein said first shot pellets are grouped towardthe rear of the internal chamber and said second shot pellets aregrouped toward the front of the internal chamber.
 14. The shotshell ofclaim 1, wherein said first and second shot pellets are evenlydistributed throughout the internal chamber.
 15. The shotshell of claim1, wherein said first and second shot pellets are non-toxic.
 16. Theshotshell of claim 1, wherein said first and second shot pelletscomprise steel.
 17. The shotshell of claim 1, comprising layers of firstshot pellets and second shot pellets.
 18. The shotshell of claim 1,wherein the first shot pellets and second shot pellets are commingledwithin said internal chamber.
 19. The shotshell of claim 1, wherein thefirst shot pellets are radially separated from the second shot pellets.